Some places inspire a frank brutality. One of them is a mix of concrete, steel, stone, untouched land, shadows, noise, soot… This one is surrounded by the ring road, wagons, machinery, factories, parking and substandard housing.
The building regroups workshops dedicated to the maintenance of the Parisian subway transportation system that were previously dispersed in different places. Employees gather to the building and get prepared before being oriented towards damaged rail tracks.
Each of the building’s five floors hosts a different activity and program. The first floor is a warehouse, the second floor is filled by lockers, the third floor is a classroom, the fourth floor is for management, the fifth floor welcomes a restaurant with a large terrace offering an overlooking view towards the Parisian ring road. Those floors are organized around a central convivial staircase, designed as an amazing interior procession. All other circulations are designed as playful additions to the building’s main structure.
The project is crowned by a contemporary tripod helix. This tripod is in fact a combination of the vertical chimney and the outside lighting for the car parks and the surrounding areas the building. It also provides heating to the sanitary water with its large surface of solar panels.